Your freshman year of college can be equal parts exciting and scary. The best way to get over the fear and ensure that it remains exciting is to get involved. That could mean many things, but for now let's focus on something extremely relevant (especially in the South) right now -- football. Granted, sports are not everyone's cup of tea, but you're missing out on the total college experience if you don't go to at least one game. For freshmen that first home game can be pretty intimidating. You're surrounded by countless other people you've never met before in various states of sobriety all wearing the same color. What do you do?
> Dress up. It doesn't matter if you're in a school t-shirt or a dress, as long as you're not wearing the other team's colors you're fine.
>Go to tailgate. It's all part of the football experience, and despite what TV and movies tell you, you don't have to be plastered to enjoy it.
>Invest in those little pom-pom shaker things. Whether they're handed out for free or you have to pay a dollar (at the most), it's totally worth it when your team is killing it on the field.
>Show school spirit. Don't be that person awkwardly sitting in the corner of the bleachers while everyone else is standing and cheering.
>Be prepared to stand. This isn't high school. You don't sit and watch the game, periodically cheering when you score a touchdown.
>Duck when the t-shirt guns go off. They may be cotton, but anything hurtling through the air at your head isn't going to feel too great upon impact.
>Stay past halftime. A lot of people go just to watch the halftime performance, and that's totally fine. But what if you leave early and miss the big win? You missed the most important and exciting part of the game.
>Eat before the game. This may sound like an obvious one, but trust me, if the game goes into overtime, you're going to regret not eating. As a last resort, get concession stand food (it's incredibly overpriced).
>Bring water with you. If you can't bring outside beverages in, try to hide it in the bottom of a purse or if you're really desperate, put it in a flask (if you're not using it for something else) that can easily be hidden on your person.
>Bring sunscreen. If you're pale, this is an obvious one.
>Make sure your phone is charged. Football games are prime photo and Snapchat opportunities so your phone must be charged.
All that being said, remember to have fun, don't overthink it, and enjoy your naive freshman year while it lasts.
